February 9, 2017, FREDERICTON (GNB) – Increased awareness of the work being done in the business services centre sector, along with community and social responsibility, were key topics at a recent meeting of industry representatives.
“New Brunswick is the world leader in the business services centre sector,” said Economic Development Minister Francine Landry, who is also minister responsible for Opportunities NB. “One in every 20 working New Brunswickers, or more than 18,000 people, is employed by one of the 90 centres located across our province, including home-based work.”
Industry members recently released a vision outlining their goal to be a global leader; identifying and addressing corporate needs while providing stable, well-paid employment and economic value to the province’s residents.
“There are more than 2,000 jobs available in the sector,” said Rob Campbell, president of Contact NB, the provincial industry association. “Many of the New Brunswick centres lead their organizations’ metrics across North America. These jobs could go anywhere, but they stay in New Brunswick because of the quality of the workforce and service provided. Careers are available across the province in customer service, sales, technical support, help desk, credit, investment, and management training. Home-based work is also available with many of the industry key employers.”
Representatives of Accor, Numeris, Medavie Blue Cross, WestJet, Asurion, Rogers, Wyndham Worldwide, Royal Bank, Atlantic Lottery Corporation and Service New Brunswick attended the meeting.
The province has made gains in the business services centre sector thanks in part to its bilingual workforce, telecommunications infrastructure and existing firms. Sears Canada announced in January that it intends to create 180 jobs in Edmundston and 350 in Saint John.
“The longevity of the business services centre sector is phenomenal,” said Stephen Lund, CEO of Opportunities NB. “New Brunswick has global brands like UPS and ExxonMobil that opened centres in the 1980s and are still employing New Brunswickers today. There are many well-paying career opportunities available for our youth in this sector.”
The sector was identified as a priority in the New Brunswick Economic Growth Plan and represents one of the largest export sectors for the province, generating close to $1 billion per year in export revenue.
The provincial government supports the sector through Opportunities NB, the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, the Regional Development Corporation and the Jobs Board Secretariat. Opportunities NB is working with the industry to develop a public awareness campaign to inform the public, including potential employees, about the jobs and benefits available in the sector.
Opportunities NB is a Crown corporation that seeks to attract and support opportunities to grow the economy and create jobs. It provides support services for businesses across the province.
Front, from left: Rob Campbell; Monique Haché; Darlene Rand; Michelle Lord; Dawn Whalen; Rachel Mills; Gina MacIsaac; Alison Geldhart; and Deanna Leblanc. Back, from left: Rob Horwood; Margot Noonan; Joe D’Ettore; Jessica Gallant; Monique Saulnier; and Denise Loar.
MEDIA CONTACT(S):
Mary-Anne Hurley-Corbyn, communications, Opportunities NB, 506-476-7596.
Robert Campbell, president, Contact NB, 506-875-9176.
